3/22 Scrimmage vs U12 South Boys

Of the 3 games this weekend, this was the game that I was looking forward to the most.  The 12 South group plays some of the best soccer I have seen from kids at that age group.  The last time we played them they dominated us, leading me to title the recap as a Showcase for the U12 Boys.  The video highlights from that game are fun to watch.

After last nights game I was very encouraged by the progress we had made as a team in the last 3 weekends of games.  

I was on the field during the game so my note taking was non existent again.

The last time we played, the boys had the ball a majority of the game.  Today it was even, if not in our favor.  I know they were missing a couple of players and they were a bit beat up from their first two games of the weekend like we were last weekend, but I still think they had a very good team that really challenged our girls.

Our defenders, cm's and wingers did a great job of recognizing when to dribble and when to pass.  Looking back at the game, that was the thing I was happiest about.  The girls were really starting to understand that the more they pass the ball, the more they actually get to dribble because quick passing leads to 1v1 opportunities.

10 minutes in we scored a great goal.  The play started in the midfield and we realized that we could not go down the right side.  We played it back to our right defensive winger, who found our center mid.  Our center mid found Blitz running diagonally towards the corner and she played a pass that beat all of their players except their central defender.  Blitz took a couple of dribbles to draw in the center defender and when he committed she slotted the ball to Gaffer who one touched the ball into the side net.  I wanted to call the game after that goal.  It was fun to watch.

I was very entertained throughout the entire game and as I was watching I kept thinking to myself that this was the reason why I wanted to go out to Nomads and play.  So we would be able to play 3 weekends in a row and really find our rhythm.  

While our skills have not changed a lot in the last 3 weeks, the girls knowledge of when to do what has improved a ton.  This improvement has made them more confident all over the field because good decisions have put them into positions to succeed.  

Some time during the game Mukwelle scored a sick goal where he beat our center backs using his Cristiano Ronaldo Cryueff and slotted the ball into the side net.  

Both teams had chances and Jake Simon, our guest goalie from the U12 Boys South White team, made a huge save on their best chance to keep the score tied.  With 3 minutes left we had a corner kick.  We played it into the box and the boys cleared the ball and pushed up to the top of their box.  The ball came rolling back to Jazzy or Brownie (man I miss having my notes for recaps) who one touched the ball back into the box.  The South goalie came charging out for the ball but Sophie had timed her run perfectly and arrived at the ball a split second before their keeper and flicked it with her head over him and into the goal. 

The game ended and I told the girls how happy I was with how they had played.  I can't wait to go to the Premier Games.